Eight years ago, John H. Griffin, Middletown High School South Senior and Boy Scout in Troop 246 lost his friend and fellow Cub Scout Timothy Pauxtis to a brain tumor when they were just 10 years old. He never forgot Timothy nor the Boy Scout pledge to honor family and friends and do a good turn daily.

In April, Boy Scout Troop 246, chartered by Lincroft Presbyterian Church, hosted an Eagle Court of Honor for John, who paid tribute to Timothy with his Eagle Scout Project to collect toys and craft supplies for children receiving treatment at K. Hovnanian Childrens Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ.

When I was looking for the right project, I wanted to do something more than just satisfy an Eagle requirement. I wanted to remember Timothy in a positive way and make a difference and help others, which is what I really want to do with my life, said John.

John began his project in September 2013 with his Eagle Counselor Mr. McQuade and contacted K. Hovnanian Childrens Hospital Life Specialist Sarah Auerbach and Robert Wallers, of the Meridian Foundation to coordinate the delivery of the toys.

Sitting with John at the ceremony were his proud parents Susan and John Griffin, sister Maddie, and Mrs. Susan Pauxtis. This particular Court of Honor reinforced the important lesson of friendship that John carried with him since his elementary school days at Middletown Village.

The Eagle Scout Is a Rare Bird Breed

A candidate for Eagle begins his journey to learn the skills of life through merit badges, camping, outdoor recreation and numerous activities. John, who earned 26 merit badges of which 21 are required for the Eagle rank in addition to his project, will graduate in June and will attend Misecordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. An avid outdoorsman, John enjoys hiking, snowboarding, is the Captain of Middletown Souths Lacrosse Team and also works at Christines Restaurant in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

For more information about the Boy Scouts USA in Monmouth County, please visit: www.monmouthbsa.org.

Lincroft Presbyterian Church (www.lincroftpresbyterianchurch.org), a family-style congregation, offers a hands-on Childrens Sunday School program, Senior High Youth Group, weekly Adult Discussion series and Womens Bible Study, a Womens Weekend Retreat, an active choir and more. The church is located at the corner of Everett Corner and West Front Street, Lincroft, NJ, 07739,